Why should we care?

SCS’s ability to provide a quality, equitable education is being undercut by high teacher turnover and year-long teaching vacancies, as well as significant maintenance deficiencies within the schools, all of which leads to higher financial, educational, and health costs. A lack of access to wraparound services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, and nurses inhibits the successful treatment of trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Abuse, neglect, and trauma significantly increase the likelihood of suspensions, juvenile criminal behavior, and incarceration. With a median age four years below the national average, Memphis’s population can support economic development, but only if we provide children in our community access to opportunities and support.

Economic Equity Current Issues:

Samantha Bradshaw & Curtis Davis, Jr., Task Force Co-Chairs

BANKING SUB GROUP- Michael Peeler and Barrie Simpson, Co-Chairs

Virtual Financial Summits are being planned for Frayser in June and Hickory Hill in July. These beta sites will be testing the video delivery of pertinent budgeting/credit information and a virtual financial survey.

Bi-monthly meeting being scheduled with First Horizon re their commitments to MICAH, and potential help with Virtual Financial Summit/s

Federal Reserve has been contacted and they will be providing financial education materials for these summits.

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TRANSIT SUB GROUP- Mary Lou McCaa and Sandy Smegelsky, Co-Chairs

Short Term Funding - Shelby County Voted (9-4) for $2.5 million allocated in the 2020 CIP budget for MATA/but ultimately the Wheel Tax which would have generated this revenue was moved to fund Education. Task force will work with commissioners to find another source of revenue for short & long term funding of MATA,

Long Term Funding - Full funding of Memphis Transit 3.0 - $10 million for 2021 budget – MICAH will continue to explore revenue sources for full funding of Memphis Transit 3.0. Goal is to maintain pressure to keep transit a top priority which will support a restored and more equitable local economy,”

Monitoring of MATA to provide expenditures to improve routes and add additional route services - Pressure City of Memphis to utilize CARES Act funds to replace lost ridership revenue/other transportation shortfalls and in the interim provide the short term funding for 2020.

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RE-ENTRY SUB GROUP- Eliza Ford and Ernie Hilliard, Co-Chairs

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COVID-19 testing and decarceration of Shelby County detention facilities

Developing COVID-19 information and reentry guide resource for Shelby County

Working with local and state legislators regarding specific reform recommendations proposed by Gov. Bill Lee’s Criminal Justice Investment Task Force

Developing rubrics to identify specific focus targets from six major strategic buckets that involve overall system policy reforms

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HOUSING SUB GROUP- John Gemmill and Rebecca Hutchinson, Co-Chairs

Foote Homes Relocation Update

Housing Team met with Marcia Lewis. Lewis reported that they are on track to meet the commitment of ensuring the 360 Foote Home residents who wish to return may do so and they are setting a precedent nationwide. Follow-Up meeting set for June when 2nd phase of residents will be moving in.